There are so many different types of anger. And each description of it is different. When describing your character in a state of anger, first you must decide what kind of anger it is.
“You will regret this day, Drake.” She spat out the name as if it were poison.
“Lock your doors, bar your windows. Carry your sword with you for the rest of your life. You won't be safe. I will hunt you. Wherever you go, whomever you hide behind, I will find you. And I will kill you slowly. I will watch you writhe in agony as your flesh peels itself off of your bones. You say that you have no fear... well fear me oh mighty puppet.” Her voice lowered to a barely audible growl. "For you will never spend another day without peering over your shoulder."
She clutched her sheared hand close to her body, spat on the ground, and stalked away, leaving her blood where it had fallen. Drax wasn’t worried. Or afraid, as that thing had suggested. That is what he told himself in the coming months. He was not afraid of a pathetic bounty hunter. He was not afraid. He’s not afraid.
That there, was a very specific kind of anger. She's just been severely injured by this man and fully intends to destroy him, part of an animalistic fight or flight response. However she wants to ruin him first. She's bent on revenge, and that takes some of the instinct out of it. In my opinion, that would classify it as simmering rage. With a heaping side of grudge and adrenaline.
Growling, she grabbed the back of his collar, pulling him hard onto his back, and dropping a ash-coated, black boot onto his chest.
Dark brown eyes met striking blue ones. Recognition flashed. Pain ensued.
Fiona screamed in rage, pulling away and trying to slam her boot on his neck. But Reed rolled, and she stumbled, giving him the moment he needed to spring to his feet. Oblivious to everything else, she shot blast after blast of white-hot flame at him, a single-minded determination taking over.
“YOU!” she screamed. “YOU!”
Casks of beer went up in flames or were broken open in the chaos. Walls combusted, a window was blown out, smoke covered everything. He tried to deflect or avoid her fiery attacks, but she was too desperate. Too furious and overwhelming. She got a shot in, and he fell back, ripping his short cloak from his shoulder, tearing it to get the flames away from his skin.
Now this, quite obviously, is animalistic rage. She realizes just who he is, and suddenly there is only a single-minded determination to end him. (There is plenty of history between those two, and this scene was a long time in coming. This kind of hatred doesn't just come overnight.)
Those last two excerpts were types of dry anger. Let's take a look at wet anger, shall we?
"No. No. No!" Midia screamed at Reed. Sobbed.
"You knew she was dangerous! You knew! Drax wants her, and he came to...to..." She collapsed onto her knees.
"Sean is dead! Because you brought her here. And you knew! How could you do this to us? To him? We trusted you!" She wiped at her tears half-heartedly. "Leave! Get your things and that creature, and get out of here."
The silence spread as Reed recoiled in shock.
"Please Midia, don't make me go."
"Leave. Through your actions, Sean is-" She hiccuped. "Sean is dead. You betrayed us."
See? That was wet anger. It's not nearly as dignified, and there's no cold determination involved. Wet anger is when the character still cares too much. It's usually accompanied by the feeling of betrayal, and/or loss.
It's important to know you're characters anger when writing it. What made them angry? What kind of anger are they prone to? Which kind of anger is the worst? Which one is scariest? Consider these before, during, and after writing a scene, and it will help clarify your work.
I would continue, but like most other teenagers on a Monday I have schoolwork to complete. If you have any questions, suggestions, or statements, feel free to comment below.
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